Forsan senior aims for the sky

May 4, 2013

Many high school seniors are already making plans for college and Brady Gartman is certainly no different, except his college plans are, shall we say, a bit more regimented than most.
Gartman, a Forsan High School senior and the son of Dean and Misty Gartman of Glasscock County, has been accepted to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy starting in late June.
Gartman was nominated for the appointment by U.S. Representative Mike Conaway and received notification of his acceptance into the academy in late March.
â€śI was very excited when I heard the news,â€ť he said. â€śIt's a big step forward, but I'm ready to get going.â€ť
He said he began seriously considering attending the academy last year.
â€śMy uncle first brought it up to me a little more than two years ago,â€ť Gartman said. â€śAt first, I was totally opposed to the idea, but the more I thought about it, the more it appealed to me. Then, I attended a summer seminar at the academy last year and that was the point where I decided this is what I really wanted to do.â€ť
Several aspects of the academy appeal to Gartman, including its high academic standards as well as having the curriculum of a large state university while maintaining the enrollment level of a smaller college.
â€śIt will offer me unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional development,â€ť he said. â€śAnd the career opportunities I'll have after the Air Force â€¦ can't be matched.â€ť
After he graduates from Forsan High School June 1, Gartman will have an abbreviated summer vacation before traveling to the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. for cadet training beginning June 27.
Unlike most universities, Garman won't have to declare a major until his junior year at the academy. Right now, he said he is leaning toward a major in computers.
â€śI'd like to become a cyber warfare officer,â€ť he said. â€śIf that doesn't work out, I'm also interested in pilot training or research and development.â€ť
Upon successfully completing his four years at the academy, Gartman will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force. He will be required to serve at least five years of active duty and three years of reserve duty in the service.